As the community puts their best red, white and blue on display today, a group of local Cub Scouts wants to help everyone have their best representations of Old Glory flying on Flag Day.

Cub Scouts Pack No. 143 is offering to properly dispose of American flags that have been damaged or destroyed in an effort to give proper respect and showcase proper flag etiquette.

“We’ve seen a lot of flags in the community which are falling apart,” said Stu Brown, one of the Scoutmasters for the pack.

Supporting the American flag is one of the tenants of the Boy Scout system, and as such, Brown said the group of boys ranging in age from first grade to fifth grade have spent a lot of time recently studying flag etiquette.

Fifth-graders Christofer Brown and Trey Mans have spent a lot of time learning how to raise a flag, the meaning behind each fold in the flag, how to carry a flag at a funeral and the proper ways to dispose of a flag that has gone well beyond its prime.

“I want to show respect to the country, and I don’t want to leave out worn-out flags,” Christofer said.

Brown said the Cub Scouts will properly cut and burn the flags and understand there can’t be any remnants left and the ashes need to be buried.

“It’s important,” Trey said. “It’s one of the most important things in America. It’s one of the most honored symbols.”

“It shows that we are a free country,” Christofer said.

To dispose of your flag, call the Boy Scouts regional office at 761-6000 or contact Brown at 231-2346.

Reach Staff Writer Kristen Cates at 791-1463 or kcates

@greatfallstribune.com. Follow her on Twitter @GFTrib_KCates.

‘Under God’

Also today, members of the local Knights of Columbus chapter are celebrating that President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially added the words “under God” to the “Pledge of Allegiance” on this day 60 years ago, with backing from the national Knights of Columbus organization. Members of the local Knights of Columbus group will attend a flag-raising ceremony in Helena today with other chapters to celebrate the 60th anniversary.